Prettying Up Linux

Leander Kahney
02.25.00

Efforts to put a pretty face on Linux are increasing but it may be some time before the makeover is complete.

Although Linux already has a pair of evolving GUIs -- KDE and Gnome -- neither is anywhere near as easy to set up and use as the Mac OS or Windows. Indeed, users must occasionally resort to typing commands into a command-line interface.

Industry watchers consider this a gaping hole in the heart of any easy-to-use operating system.

Bruce Tognazzini, founder of Apple's famous Human Interface Group and a frequent interface critic, stressed the need for a standard Linux interface and a comprehensive set of interface guidelines to ensure consistency across the system.

"It's kind of counter to Linux's controlled chaos," he said. "But of all the things in Linux, this is the thing that's missing. It must have a standard interface if they want the revolution to go all the way to consumers."

A group of ex-Apple engineers are attempting to solve the problem by designing an advanced GUI for Linux that includes a graphical file manager called Nautilus.

Nautilus file system includes a point-and-click file manager that will offer advanced features like the ability to tell the difference between sound files and pictures, and display them accordingly.

It can also be configured to hide the file system's confusing hierarchical structure from novices.

The team behind Nautilus is Eazel. The startup is comprised of software evangelist Mike Boich, programmers Andy Hertzfeld and Guy Tribble, and graphic designer Susan Kare, who all contributed to the original Macintosh operating system.

Boich said Eazel would build on Gnome's comprehensive software toolkits and libraries. Eazel will concentrate on the look and feel, while Gnome's network of 400 programmers will concentrate on the system's plumbing.

Miguel de Icaza, Gnome's chief coordinator and the chief technology officer for Helixcode, predicted the combination of Gnome and Nautilus would be an important step forward for Linux GUIs.

"It's improving in leaps and bounds," he said. "You're going to be surprised how easy it is to use Gnome when they're finished. I've seen their prototype and it's amazing."